GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 637, 12 October 1878, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, October 11. Last night the Electoral Bill was postponed at the request of the Government, doubts having arisen as to whether exceptional legislation for Maories is not antagonistic .to the Constitution Act. In a municipal bill, the minimum width of private Streets was fixed at 40 feet. Colonel Whitmore moved the second reading of the Land Tax Bill. The FTon J. A. Bonar. supported by the Hon. Mr Grace, strongly opposed the Bill, characterising it as a concession, to the ignorant public opinion of the day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, October 11. The Hodse passed several unimportant measures. The Libraries Bill was postponed, a technical difficulty being raised by the Speaker. The Joint Stock Company's Bill was shelved. The Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Licensing Bill was withdrawn. Mr Stout said the Government would prepare one during the recess, and if possible, distribute il before the meeting of Parliament. The Juries Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, Mr Stout promising considerable expediency in abolishing grand juries, so as to- render special jurors liable to serve on common juries. In the House* to-day notice of Hospital Endowment Bills were given for' the following places :—Du’nstan, Cromwell (Pyke), Wallace (Hodgkinson), Westport, Charleston (Henry), Greymouth (Reeves). In reply to Mr Carrington as to the intentions of the Government in respect of making reserves for hospitals and charitable institutions, Mr Stout said the question would be raised in the debate on Bills to b<>, introduced.

In reply to Mr Feld wick, the Minister of Public Works said engines and rolling stock were ordered from America on the recommendation of Mr Garrnthers, being found Suitable for some parts of the Colony.

On the motion for going into committee to grant leave to J. C. Brown to introduce the Tuapeka Hospital Endowment Bill. A long and important discussion arose. Mr Montgomery urged that the Government should state whether they intended to introduce a general measure dealing with hospitals and charitable endowments or not. Mr Bowen said he would move on going into Committee of Supply that the Government ascertain what endowments are attached to hospitals throughout the Colony, and where no endowments are not half sufficient to pay half the anual cost of maintaining hospital reserves, from waste lands be given, the income being calculated at 5 per ceut. on the upset price. Mr Woolcock said the Honse was going in to allocated lands which were already pledged to the public creditors. Mr Rollston deprecated these local Bills, and advocated a general measure. Mr Sheehen condemned this scramble for endowments, and declared his inten. tion to actually, oppose the Bill. Hos-. pita! endowments should be given in pursuance of .some, measure applicable to the entire Colony; The Government advised the House to resist the absorption of the public estate, which would decrease the land revenue and increase direct taxation. Mr Bastings supported the Bill because it further enhanced the value of lands, and would render the hospitals independent of money votes from the House.